Tasmania breaking news: Man, 34, dies while diving at Macquarie Heads on West Coast

A recreational diver has died at Macquarie Heads on Tasmania’s West Coast. Details >>

Tasmania Police. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

For the latest, follow The Beat, the Mercury’s live breaking news blog with the latest traffic, police, fire and ambulance news across the state.

Recreational diver dies on West Coast

A 34-year-old man has died while recreational diving at Macquarie Heads, on Tasmania’s West Coast.

Emergency services were called to the scene at the entrance to Macquarie Harbour, about 14km southwest of Strahan, about 3pm but the man could not be resuscitated.

Tasmania Police said their thoughts were with the man’s family and loved ones.

It is not known if the man was lived locally or was in the area for the Easter break.

Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner.

Woman charged over alleged carjacking

A young woman has been charged in relation to a carjacking incident in broad daylight in Hobart’s city centre.

Police say no-one was physically injured in the carjacking which happened about 3:10pm in Harrington St on Thursday.

Police thanked members of the public who came to the aid of the victim and contacted police.

A 27-year-old woman has been charged with attempted aggravated carjacking.

Police want to hear from a number of people who may have witnessed the incident and have urged them to contact the Hobart Criminal Investigation Branch and reference offence report 739525.

Man hurt in single-vehicle crash

March 29, 9am: A man is in hospital after his car smashed into a tree in a single-vehicle crash at Underwood just outside Launceston, in the state’s North.

The 48-year-old Newnham man was the only person in vehicle and was taken to the Launceston General Hospital in a serious condition.

Tasmania Police and emergency services were called to the crash about 3pm on Thursday with reports that the car, a blue Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, had been northbound when it veered off the road and crashed head-on into a tree.

Police said investigation into the cause of the crash are continuing and Northern Crash Investigation Services had attended the scene.

Police urged anyone who had seen the crash or who had dashcam footage to contact Northern Crash Investigation Services.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

Warning issued for Trevallyn bushfire

March 28, 4:30pm: Three aircraft and seven fire brigades were sent in to battle a serious bushfire in the Launceston suburb of Trevallyn.

The fire at Grenadier Court was reported to emergency services about 3pm and quickly escalated to a watch and act warning, which has since been downgraded.

Authorities say there is no threat to communities, but a smoke alert has been issued.

“People at higher risk from the effects of smoke, including those with medical conditions, should enact their personal plan for avoiding smoke and managing their health,” a TFS spokesperson said.

“People travelling in the area should be careful if driving in smoke. Turn on your headlights, drive slowly and be aware of emergency services in the area.”

66-year-old man charged with string of offences after alleged Airport disturbance

March 28, 4:30pm: A 66-year-old man allegedly caused a disturbance and drove on the wrong side of the road to evade police at Hobart Airport this morning.

Police attended the pick up area of the airport about 11am, after receiving reports of a man “causing issues”.

After being directed to leave the area, the man allegedly drove against the flow of traffic to avoid police.

Authorities say he was apprehended when his vehicle became blocked in by bollards.

The man was charged with aggravated assault, trespass, evade police, create a common nuisance and failing to comply with a direction of a police officer.

He face court in Hobart tomorrow.

Teenage girl accused of stealing booze, make-up and clothes

10.10am: A 16-year-old girl has been accused of a stealing spree of items including alcohol, cosmetics and clothes, police say.

Police charged the girl on Sunday and allege she stole the items from several businesses across Glenorchy, New Town and Sandy Bay during February and March.

She is expected to appear in the Hobart Youth Justice Court in April.

Tasmania Police say the investigations was part of Taskforce Saturate.

“We will continue to target anti-social and criminal behaviour and where appropriate, necessary and authorised by law, we will be charging those who offend, and putting them before a Magistrate,” police said on their commitment to crackdown on criminal behaviour in public spaces.

Crime statistics released late last year found repeat offenders were responsible for an increase in crime.

At that time, police said a small number of repeat offenders were largely responsible for the rise.

Police investigate man’s death after altercation on main street

March 27, 8.15am: Police are investigating an altercation on Main St, St Mary’s believed to have lead to the death of a man.

Officers suspect from initial investigations an altercation involving two men took place about 6.30pm on Tuesday.

They believe one of the men sustained injuries as a result and has died.

The second man was in custody and assisted with inquiries, police said yesterday evening.

Traffic diversions were in place while police were investigating the scene last night.

Man faces child exploitation charges after joint police operation

4pm: A 28-year-old man from Youngtown has been charged with child exploitation offences.

A police spokesperson said investigations into the alleged offences were conducted by Tasmania Police and Australian Federal Police’s Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team.

Officers report executing a search warrant on Monday and subsequently arresting the man and charging him with possessing child exploitation material.

He is expected to appear before the Launceston Magistrates Court in June.

Three-car crash on highway in state’s north

10.55am: The East Tamar Highway has been cleared with no injuries reported.

9.14am: Emergency services rush to the scene of a three-car crash on the East Tamar Highway, just before the University Way turn-off at Newnham.

Police say no injuries have been reported at this stage, however all lanes — except for the northbound emergency lane — are currently blocked.

Motorists have been asked to avoid the area.

Weather forces rescuers to camp overnight after finding man

March 26, 8.30am: A long rescue mission played out to bring a man to safety after the 58-year-old went missing in the Luina area, located west of Waratah, over the weekend.

On Sunday, police report being informed of a man was missing in the area.

They say he had become lost on Saturday night after he deviated from a walking track to explore and was unable to find his way back.

Police say they were advised the man was not prepared for an overnight stay and he was not in possession of a personal locator beacon.

Search and rescue crews reportedly made limited contact with the man and were able to gather coordinates of his location.

It’s reported the rescue helicopter was deployed to assist with the search, but it was grounded due to inclement weather in the area.

Emergency service members resorted to finding the lost man on foot.

Officers say the man was found at 10.45pm on Sunday night, however the man and search team camped at the location overnight due to weather conditions.

At first light on Sunday, police say the rescue helicopter was able to attend the area and safely extract the man from the location.

Officers say he was examined by paramedics and did not require treatment.

Police have reminded walkers to let people know where you’re walking, consider weather conditions, plan for unexpected events, take adequate food and water and wear appropriate clothing.

Targeted police operation catches drink drivers and speedsters

March 25, 3.15pm: Seven drink drivers were caught in the span of five hours in the state’s North-West on Saturday morning, police say.

Officers say they conducted a two day road safety operation in the Preston and Gawler areas, out the back of Ulverstone, targeting the fatal five: speeding, not wearing a seatbelt correctly, drink and drug driving, inattention, and fatigue.

Inspector Adam Spencer of Western Road Policing Services said the road policing officers issued 11 infringements for speeding in the area.

“In the very early hours of Sunday morning, these officers returned to the area and conducted about 300 breath tests,” he said.

“Seven people were charged with drink driving between 5am and 11am.”

Inspector Spencer warned police patrolled isolated areas of the North-West and on the west coast.

“If you don’t expect we will be about and think you can get away with it, think again,” he said.

Emergency services rush to crash between motorcycle and car

7.17pm: Emergency services are responding to a crash between a car and a motorcycle on Brighton Rd, Brighton in the vicinity of Andrew St.

Police say injuries are not reported to be life threatening.

Traffic has been reduced to one lane while the incident is cleared.

Motorists have been asked to avoid the area if possible.

Traffic havoc on Augusta Rd after crash

1.41pm: The crash has been cleared and road is now open with traffic flowing as usual.

1.10pm: Emergency services are responding to a minor traffic crash on Augusta Rd, New Town.

Officers say no serious injuries have been reported.

The incident has caused delays for motorists, with those travelling in the area warned traffic has been limited to one lane for both directions on Augusta Rd between Westminster Ave and Elizabeth St, New Town while emergency services deal with the incident.

Crews work to extinguish fire in hotel’s wall cavity

12.40pm: Brigades from Deloraine and Westbury have rushed to the Deloraine Hotel to extinguish a fire.

It’s reported crews arrived to find a small fire in a kitchen wall cavity.

Bridge collapse diverts traffic while council responds to incident

March 23: Motorists have been cut off just south of Waddamana in the Central Highlands after a bridge collapsed.

The bridge over River Ouse on Bashan Rd has collapsed.

Motorists have been advised to make alternative travel plans in the area.

The Central Highlands council are responding to the incident.

Man faces multiple charges including assault, firearm offences

March 23: Police arrested a 33-year-old man after an isolated incident at Rocherlea on Friday afternoon.

Officers say he was taken into custody following the incident at a private residence on Reservoir Rd, where it was suspected he was in possession of a firearm.

Police say nobody was injured and the man was the only person in the home at the time.

The 33-year-old was charged with multiple offences including aggravated assault, firearm possession, resisting police, motor vehicle stealing, burglary, stealing, breach of bail and family violence offences.

He is expected to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Saturday.

Originally published as Tasmania breaking news: Man, 34, dies while diving at Macquarie Heads on West Coast